World Conservation Congress

The World Conservation Congress is the world's largest and most diverse conservation event. Held every four years, the Congress aims to improve how we manage our natural environment for human, social and economic development.

The previous Congress, held in Bangkok in November 2004, brought together 5,000 people from all corners of the world, to discuss, debate and decide on environmental and development issues.

The next Congress will be held in Barcelona from 5 to 14 October 2008.

The Congress has two parts: the Forum and the Members' Assembly.

Forum

The Forum is a grand public bazaar hosted by the world's conservation community, bringing together people from all over the world to discuss, share and learn.

Addressing the world's most pressing sustainable development challenges, the Forum offers four days of debates, workshops, dialogues, art, roundtable discussions, training courses, music and exhibitions.

The six IUCN Commissions, representing 10,000 of the world's leading conservation scientists, will also meet during the Forum.

Assembly

The Members' Assembly, the main governing body of the Union, brings together IUCN's member organizations to debate and establish environmental policy.

More than 100 resolutions are expected to be adopted by this unique global environmental parliament of governments and NGOs.

Members also approve the Union's programme of work for the following four years, elect the IUCN President and Council, and manage the business affairs of the Union.

Who will be there?

Over 8,000 people are expected to attend the Congress, the world's leading event for decision makers from all sectors in conservation and development.

• Government ministers, politicians and senior administrators from more than 150 countries;
• Directors and senior managers of the world's leading conservation and development NGOs;
• Major figures from UN and multilateral agencies;
• Leading conservation scientists and experts from a wide range of domains;
• CEOs, directors of corporate social responsibility and senior managers from some of the world's leading companies;
• Social leaders, indigenous groups, trade unions and community associations;
• Journalists, artists, musicians, religious leaders, sportspeople;
• Citizens from Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain and around the world.

View the brochure
View the press release: "Council paves the way to Barcelona"